The short answer to that headline is. Yes.
Justin Holl has been the most consistent defensemen this year, and I am not too sure it is particularly close. I have been so impressed with him all year. He does so many little things, that allow our team not to have to defend at all. Plays seem to die when they go on his side of the ice in transition. His gaps are outstanding, and he seems to drive people to the corner more often than not, resulting in either a turnover or puck battle. He is a guy that reminds me so much of prime Chris Tanev. Just a calm, smooth skating, positionally sound, physical D-Man. He impressed me last year, and then kind of fizzled out a bit when he signed his ticket. But credit to him, he is earning every cent of his deal. He is getting better each game. Truly a great story. Very well deserving. You can never have too many guys like him and Hyman, who have had to scratch and claw for every bit of success they have earned.
My humble opibion only
In terms of defending as of March 04, I ranks as follows:
1) Brodie- his skating alone makes him premiere, but his IQ D wise is off the charts
2) Holl- Again can skate, is mobile, great gap and plays the one on one so well.
3) Muzzin- See Holl
4) Dermott- Has some lapses and brain cramps, but playing a bit of a nasty game - most likely because of his partner
5) Bogosian- The odd error, but in his own end, off the glass and out. Been consistent
6) Reilly- Logs the most ice time and because he has the puck all the time, does make some bad decisions. I have never been a fan of his D game.
Overall, when you watch the whole team in it's own end, there seems more structure. No more fire drills where they are hemmed in for 3 minutes
